Biden Strong, Ryan Up to the Challenge — VP Debate Doesn’t Change Much

If Colorado voters were tired of the tone taken in this election, tonight’s debate wasn’t much relief.

After months of being bombarded by ads in every medium, Governor Romney’s bounce last week proved that many voters are looking to the debate for real answers about issues that face the country. After several days of handwringing by Democrats both inside and outside the Beltway, Vice President Biden came into tonight’s debate with a clear objective – challenge Congressman Ryan on his claims while displaying his own experience with foreign policy issues.

Biden is an old Washington hand and his experience, (some eighteen debates over his four decade political career) was evident early. He deftly moved off the first question regarding Libya and instead opened with a strong summary of the President’s achievements. To his credit however, Congressman Ryan was clearly prepared and gave brought up issues with the Administration’s emerging failure in Libya – a topic that will continue to be thorny for the President in the closing days of this campaign.

From that point, the discussion devolved into a scene often replayed on news programs and internet comment boards each day. Both candidates made strong points – Biden drew blood when referring to Ryan’s request for stimulus dollars, while Ryan clearly incensed Biden when leading him into the fact that his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania had a higher unemployment rate than when President Obama took office.

While each side got their assorted jabs and policy points in, the story most people will be talking about tomorrow is the Vice President’s fairly odd conduct throughout. Alternating between smirking, smiling and at one point leaning back and crossing his arms, he led a sideshow of mannerisms that badly damaged the image that voters will take away. While Democrats will be thrilled about a more aggressive stance from the Obama campaign, Biden’s appearance and conduct likely did real damage with the independent voters that will be the difference in this bitterly fought election.

To be clear, most VP debates are ultimately inconsequential and this contest is likely to go down as a draw. If there is any impact, it will be determined by levels of intensity from the Democratic base and whether there’s any movement from independents toward the Romney/Ryan ticket in days to come.

Joe Brettell served as communications director for former Colorado Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave and is a GOP consultant living in Virginia.